Unit provided above an image forming apparatus which is pivotably movable through a rotation fulcrum axis

ABSTRACT

A compound apparatus is provided that includes an image forming apparatus forming an image on a record medium, an operation panel and a unit provided on an upper part of the image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a casing section, an image forming mechanism section provided in the casing section and a discharging mechanism section discharging the record medium having an image formed thereon in a front and rear direction of the image forming apparatus as viewed from a user facing the operation panel and wherein the unit is supported in a manner pivotally movable through a rotation fulcrum axis extending in the front and rear direction of the image forming apparatus as viewed from the user facing the operation panel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of copending U.S. application Ser.No. 12/630,865 filed Dec. 4, 2009, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a compound apparatus comprising an imageforming apparatus, an operation panel and a unit.

In a former compound apparatus comprising an image forming apparatus anda manuscript reading apparatus, the manuscript reading apparatus isfurnished to the above of the image forming apparatus, and in the caseto perform an inside maintenance and an expendable article change of theimage forming apparatus, the upper part of the image forming apparatusis opened through driving the manuscript reading apparatus rotatebackward with respect to the image forming apparatus, for example, inJapanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2008-152050.

However, in the apparatus described in Japanese Unexamined PatentApplication Publication No. 2008-152050, in order to drive themanuscript reading apparatus rotate backward, in the case that a useruses a wheelchair and the like, the rotating movement is difficult.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a compoundapparatus that can solve the above problem. That is, a compoundapparatus is supplied in which the manuscript reading apparatus easilymoves and rotates.

An aspect of this invention is to provide a compound apparatus thatincludes an image forming apparatus forming an image on a record medium,an operation panel and a unit provided on an upper part of the imageforming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a casingsection, an image forming mechanism section provided in the casingsection and a discharging mechanism section discharging the recordmedium having an image formed thereon in a front and rear direction ofthe image forming apparatus as viewed from a user facing the operationpanel and wherein the unit is supported in a manner pivotally movablethrough a rotation fulcrum axis extending in the front and reardirection of the image forming apparatus as viewed from the user facingthe operation panel.

According to such structure, even if the manuscript reading apparatus isdriven to rotate, the position of depth direction with respect to a useris not changed, therefore the manuscript reading apparatus easily movesand rotates.

Further, it is desirable that the rotation fulcrum axis of themanuscript reading apparatus is furnished in the outside of the openmouth.

According to such structure, in conditions of opening the open mouth bydriving the manuscript reading apparatus rotate, it becomes easy toperform the inside maintenance and the expendable article change of theimage forming mechanism section around the rotation fulcrum axis of theopen mouth.

Further, it is desirable that a control foundation board that controlsan electric power source unit for supplying electric power to the imageforming mechanism section, a driving motor for driving the image formingmechanism section and the image forming mechanism section is furnishedbelow the rotation fulcrum axis.

According to such structure, it is possible to put space of the widthdirection to practical use effectively.

Further, it is desirable that the image forming apparatus furthercomprises a cover capable of rotating between a position that blocks theopen mouth of the box body section and a position that opens the openmouth of the box body section through a rotation fulcrum axis that isfurnished on the rear of the box body section and that extends to leftand right directions.

According to such structure, it is possible to protect the image formingmechanism section through the cover.

Furthermore, it is desirable that the manuscript reading apparatuscomprises a manuscript reading section that is supported capable ofrotating with respect to the image forming apparatus and that has amanuscript loading surface for reading out the manuscript, and amanuscript holding section that is furnished on the manuscript readingsection and that holds the manuscript loaded on the manuscript loadingsurface down, wherein the manuscript holding section is supportedcapable of rotating between a position that holds the manuscript down bycovering the manuscript loading surface and a position that opens themanuscript loading surface through a rotation fulcrum axis that isfurnished on the right end part or the left end part of the manuscriptreading section and that extends to the front and back directions, andthe rotation fulcrum axis of the manuscript reading section and therotation fulcrum axis of the manuscript holding section are respectivelyfurnished opposite sides of the left and right.

According to such structure, it is possible to open the manuscriptreading apparatus with preventing that the manuscript holding section isunnecessarily opened.

The effect of the present invention:

According to the present invention, it is possible to supply a compoundapparatus in which the manuscript reading apparatus easily moves androtates.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofthe invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction withthe appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention,there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presentlypreferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is notlimited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1A is a left side diagram of a compound apparatus in the firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a part enlargement sectional diagram of a compound apparatusin the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a front diagram of a compound apparatus in the firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a part enlargement sectional diagram of a compound apparatusin the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an A1-A1 sectional diagram of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 4 is an A2-A2 sectional diagram of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 5 is an A3-A3 sectional diagram of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 6A is a left side diagram showing conditions of opening a documentcover unit of a compound apparatus in the first embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6B is a part enlargement sectional diagram of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A is a front diagram showing conditions of opening a scannersection of a compound apparatus in the first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7B is a part enlargement sectional diagram of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an operation example of a compoundapparatus in the first embodiment of the present invention, and is asquint diagram showing a condition of opening a scanner section;

FIG. 9A is a front diagram of a compound apparatus in the secondembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9B and FIG. 9C are part enlargement sectional diagrams of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 10A is a front diagram showing a condition of opening a documentcover unit of a compound apparatus in the second embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 10B is a part enlargement sectional diagram of the FIG. 10A;

FIG. 11A is a front diagram showing conditions of opening a scannersection of a compound apparatus in the second embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 11B is a part enlargement sectional diagram of the FIG. 11A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention will be described in detail hereinbelowwith reference to the drawings.

In the same part, the same mark is assigned, so the duplicationexplanation is omitted. In the following explanation, a user sets acondition on which the user stands in front of the compound apparatus,as a standard of position, direction and the like.

First Embodiment

Firstly, it is to explain about a compound apparatus in the firstembodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 1A and 1B show a compoundapparatus in the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1A is aleft side diagram; FIG. 1B is a part enlargement sectional diagram.FIGS. 2A and 2B show a compound apparatus in the first embodiment of thepresent invention; FIG. 2A is a front diagram; FIG. 2B is a partenlargement sectional diagram. FIG. 3 is an A1-A1 sectional diagram ofFIG. 2A. FIG. 4 is an A2-A2 sectional diagram of FIG. 1A. FIG. 5 is anA3-A3 sectional diagram of FIG. 1A. FIGS. 6A and 6B explain an operationexample of a compound apparatus in the first embodiment of the presentinvention; FIG. 6A is a left side diagram showing conditions of openinga document cover unit; FIG. 6B is a part enlargement sectional diagramof FIG. 6A. FIGS. 7A and 7B explain an operation example of a compoundapparatus in the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7A is afront diagram showing conditions of opening a scanner section; FIG. 7Bis a part enlargement sectional diagram of FIG. 7A. FIG. 8 is a diagramfor explaining an operation example of a compound apparatus in the firstembodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective diagramshowing conditions of opening a scanner section.

As shown by FIG. 1A and FIG. 2A, a compound apparatus 1A is a copymachine that comprises a printer section 2 as an example of an imageforming apparatus and a scanner section 3 as an example of a manuscriptreading apparatus in the first embodiment of the present invention. Inthe following explanation, the printer section 2 records by formingimages onto record paper through a LED tandem color method, but theprinter section 2 may also record by forming images onto record paperthrough a laser, an ink jet method, a dot matrix impact method and thelike.

<Printer Section 2>

As shown by FIG. 3, the printer section 2 forms an image onto recordpaper as an example of a record medium, and comprises a paper feedingsection 10 and an image forming mechanism section 20.

<Paper Feeding Section 10>

The paper feeding section 10 is furnished capable of drawing out to thefront with respect to a box body 2 a of the printer section 2, andcomprises a paper feeding cassette 11, a paper feeding roller 12 and aone-way clutch 13. The paper feeding cassette 11 accommodates recordpaper (not shown) into the inside; the paper feeding roller 12 feedsrecord paper to the image forming mechanism section 20 on the basis of acontrol of a control foundation board 34. The one-way clutch 13 conveysrecord paper from the paper feeding cassette 11 to the image formingmechanism section 20 in one direction.

<Image Forming Mechanism Section 20>

The image forming mechanism section 20 is a device that forms images byusing well-known electrophotographic method onto record paper suppliedfrom the paper feeding section 10, and is furnished on the top of thepaper feeding section 10. The image forming mechanism section 20comprises a registration roller 21, a conveying roller 22, an imageforming unit 23, a fixing unit 24 and an ejecting unit 25 in an orderfrom upstream side to downstream side in which record paper is conveyed.

The registration roller 21 is a roller that supplies an askew linecorrecting means that corrects askew line of record paper and conveysthe corrected record paper to the down stream in a right direction. Theconveying roller 22 is a roller that conveys record paper to the imageforming unit 23.

The image forming unit 23 comprises a print process cartridge 23 a, aconveying section 23 b and a transfer roller 23 c.

The print process cartridge 23 a are furnished four corresponding tofour kinds of toner, and includes a toner cartridge 23 a 1, a chargeroller 23 a 2 and a photosensitive drum 23 a 3. The toner cartridge 23 a1 accommodates toner, and supplies toner to the photosensitive drum 23 a3. The charge roller 23 a 2 is a roller for charging the photosensitivedrum 23 a 3. The photosensitive drum 23 a 3 is charged through thecharge roller 23 a 2; and forms an electrostatic latent image on thesurface of the photosensitive drum 23 a 3 by receiving LED lightirradiated from a print head (not shown).

The conveying section 23 b is furnished below the print processcartridge 23 a, and includes a couple of conveying rollers 23 b 1, 23 b1, and a conveying belt 23 b 2. The couple of conveying rollers 23 b 1,23 b 1 are rollers for driving the conveying belt 23 b 2. The conveyingbelt 23 b 2 is an endless belt that is rolled around the couple ofconveying rollers 23 b 1, 23 b 1, and conveys record paper.

The transfer roller 23 c is furnished below the print process cartridge23 a, corresponding to the photosensitive drum 23 a 3. The transferroller 23 c transfers an electrostatic latent image formed on thesurface of the photosensitive drum 23 a 3 to record paper.

The fixing unit 24 makes the electrostatic latent image transferred onrecord paper fix onto the record medium through heat and pressure. Theejecting unit 25 ejects record paper to the outside of the printersection 2, here, that is a top cover 2 f (referring to FIG. 4) furnishedso as to cover the open mouth of the box body 2 a of the printer section2.

Further, the image forming mechanism section 20 comprises a sensor 26 afor detecting that record paper is supplied to the inside of the imageforming mechanism section 20 through the paper feeding roller 12, asensor 26 b for detecting that record paper passes the registrationroller 21, and a sensor 26 c for detecting that record paper is suppliedto the image forming unit 23. A detection result of the sensors 26 a-26c is outputted to the control foundation board 34.

As shown by FIG. 4, the printer section 2 comprises an electric powersource unit 31, a driving motor 32, gears 33 a-33 e, a controlfoundation board 34, a high voltage foundation board 35, cables 36 a and36 b at the left end part.

The electric power source unit 31 supplies electric power supplied fromthe outside to all kinds of equipment in a compound apparatus 1A. Thedriving motor 32 drives the photosensitive drum 23 a 3 rotate throughthe gears 33 a-33 e. The gears 33 a-33 e transmit driving power of thedriving motor 32 through mutually meshing; the gear 33 a is connected tothe driving motor 32, and the gear 33 e is connected to thephotosensitive drum 23 a 3.

The control foundation board 34 outputs a control signal for controllingall kinds of equipment in the compound apparatus 1A. The high voltagefoundation board 35 is a foundation board for assigning high voltage tothe print process cartridge 23 a. The electric power source unit 31, thecontrol foundation board 34 and the high voltage foundation board 35 areconnected electrically through the cables 36 a and 36 b.

Further, the printer section 2 comprises a toner sensor foundation board37 at the right end part. The toner sensor foundation board 37 comprisesa toner sensor 37 a for detecting toner amount in the print processcartridge 23 a. A detection result of the toner sensor 37 a is outputtedto the control foundation board 34.

Furthermore, the box body 2 a of the printer section 2 comprises sidecovers 2 b, 2 c, cassette guides 2 d, 2 e, and a top cover 2 f. The sidecovers 2 b, 2 c are members that forms left and right sides of theprinter section 2 respectively; the cassette guides 2 d, 2 e are membersfor guiding the paper feeding cassette 11, furnished at the inside ofthe side covers 2 b, 2 c respectively.

The top cover 2 f is furnished capable of rotating between a positionthat blocks an open mouth furnished on the top of the box body 2 a and aposition that opens an open mouth furnished on the top of the box body 2a through taking the rear of the box body 2 a as rotation fulcrum axisof rotation. Here, the rotation fulcrum axis 2 f 1 is an axis thatextends to the left and right directions of the box body 2 a. Further,the top cover 2 f is a record paper receiving section for receivingrecord paper ejected through the ejection unit 25 on the surface of thetop cover 2 f.

Further, the box body 2 a of the printer section 2 comprises a couple ofstays 2 g, 2 h on the upper part. The stay 2 g is furnished at the leftend part of the box body 2 a, and comprises rotation fulcrum axis useditch 74 for axially supporting the scanner section 3 capable ofrotating. The stay 2 h is furnished at the right end part of the boxbody 2 b, and is contacted at the base of the right end part of thescanner section 3 in conditions that the scanner section 3 is closed.

The stay 2 g has more thickness in left and right directions than thestay 2 h in consideration of intensity. In the present embodiment, theelectric power source unit 31, the driving motor 32, the gears 33 a-33c, the control foundation board 34, the high voltage foundation board 35and the cables 36 a, 36 b, are furnished below the rotation fulcrum axis71 (referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B), in the present embodiment, below thestay 2 g in which the rotation fulcrum axis 71 is furnished. Accordingto such furnishings structure, the compound apparatus 1A can put spaceof the width direction to practical use effectively with securingintensity of the stay 2 g.

<Scanner Section 3>

The scanner section 3 is furnished on the printer section 2. As shown byFIG. 5, the scanner section 3 includes a flat bed unit 40 that is anexample of a manuscript reading section, and a document cover unit 50that is an example of a manuscript holding section. Further, anoperation panel 3 a is furnished in front of the flat bed unit 40. Aninput through operating the operation panel 3 a by a user is outputtedto the control foundation board 34.

The flat bed unit 40 includes a manuscript loading surface 41 and acarriage 42. The manuscript loading surface 41 is a surface for loadinga manuscript (not shown) in order to read. The carriage 42 reads amanuscript loaded on the manuscript loading surface 41 while moving backand forth in a sub-scanning line direction. The carriage 42 comprises acold cathode fluorescent lamp 42 a, mirrors 42 b, 42 b, and an imagesensor unit 42 c.

The cold cathode fluorescent lamp 42 a is a light source that irradiateslight for reading a manuscript. The mirrors 42 b, 42 b make lightirradiated from the cold cathode fluorescent lamp 42 a reflect in afixed angle, and makes it incident into the image sensor unit 42 c. Thecold cathode fluorescent lamp 42 a, the mirrors 42 b, 42 b and the imagesensor unit 42 c are furnished so that the light path length of lightbecomes a fixed length.

The image sensor unit 42 c includes a lens 42 c 1 for condensing rays ofthe incident light, and a CCD image sensor 42 c 2 that outputs thecondensed light to the control foundation board 34 by changing it intodigital signals. The control foundation board 34 can drive the printersection 2 on the basis of the digital signals outputted from the CCDimage sensor 42 c 2 to form an image on record paper. Moreover, acontact image sensor can be also adopted as the image sensor unit 42 cby replacing the lens 42 c 1 and the CCD image sensor 42 c 2.

The document cover unit 50 is a manuscript holding section for holding amanuscript loaded on the manuscript loading surface 41 down through thebase of the document cover unit, and includes a manuscript tray 51, amanuscript width guide 52, an automatic manuscript conveying apparatus53 and a manuscript reception 54.

The manuscript tray 51 is a tray for loading a plurality of sheets ofmanuscripts. The manuscript width guides 52 are guides for preventingaskew line of a manuscript when the manuscript is conveyed throughmaking the manuscript loaded in the manuscript tray 51 line up on awidth direction, and are furnished in a couple on the width direction ofthe manuscript. The automatic manuscript conveying apparatus 53 conveysmanuscripts loaded in a manuscript tray to the manuscript loadingsurface 41 every one sheet. The manuscript reception 54 is a member forreceiving manuscripts conveyed by the automatic manuscript conveyingapparatus 53.

<Rotation Operation of the Document Cover Unit 50>

Here, it is to explain about an operation that drives the document coverunit 50 rotate with respect to the flat bed unit 40 by referring toFIGS. 1A, 1B, 6A and 6B. Here, FIG. 1A is a left side diagram showingconditions of closing a document cover unit; FIG. 1B is a partenlargement sectional diagram; FIG. 6A is a left side diagram showingconditions of opening a document cover unit; and FIG. 6B is a partenlargement sectional diagram of the FIG. 6A.

As shown by FIGS. 1A and 1B, the document cover unit 50 is axiallysupported capable of rotating with respect to the rear of the flat bedunit 40 through a rotation fulcrum axis 61 that extends to the left andright directions. In the present embodiment, the rotation fulcrum axis61 is fixed with respect to the document cover unit 50, and is supportedcapable of rotating by being inserted into a rotation fulcrum axis useditch 64 furnished in the flat bed unit 40. Then, as shown by FIG. 1Aand FIG. 1B, in conditions of closing the document cover unit 50, thecompound apparatus 1A can read a manuscript through conveying themanuscript to the manuscript loading surface 41 by using the automaticmanuscript conveying apparatus 53.

Then, in conditions of opening the document cover unit 50 as shown byFIG. 6A, a stopper wall 62 furnished in the document cover unit 50 and astopper wall 63 furnished in the flat bed unit 40 are contacted as shownby FIG. 6B, consequently the rotation region of the document cover unit50 is regulated within 90 degrees (from parallel to verticality withrespect to the flat bed unit 40). Like this, in conditions of openingthe document cover unit 50, the compound apparatus 1A becomes possibleto load a manuscript on the manuscript loading surface 41.

<Rotation Operation of the Scanner Section 3>

Continuously, it is to explain about an operation that drives thescanner section 3 rotate with respect to the printer section 2 byreferring to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 7A, 7B and 8. Here, FIG. 2A is a frontdiagram showing conditions of closing a scanner section; FIG. 2B is apart enlargement sectional diagram of FIG. 2A; FIG. 7A is a frontdiagram showing conditions of opening a scanner section; FIG. 7B is apart enlargement sectional diagram of the FIG. 7A; and FIG. 8 is aperspective diagram showing conditions of opening a scanner section.

As shown by FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the scanner section 3 is axiallysupported capable of rotating with respect to the left end part of theprinter section 2 (stay 2 g) through a rotation fulcrum axis 71 thatextends to the front and back directions. In the present embodiment, therotation fulcrum axis 71 is fixed with respect to the scanner section 3,and is supported capable of rotating by being inserted into a rotationfulcrum axis use ditch 74 furnished in the stay 2 g.

Then, in conditions of opening the scanner section 3 as shown by FIG.7A, a stopper wall 72 furnished in the flat bed unit 40 and a stopperwall 73 furnished in the stay 2 g are contacted as shown by FIG. 7B,consequently the rotation region of the scanner section 3 is regulatedwithin 90 degrees (from parallel to verticality with respect to theprinter section 2). Like this, in conditions of opening the scannersection 3, as shown by FIG. 8, it becomes possible to access from theupper open mouth of the box body 2 a to the image forming mechanismsection 20 of the compound apparatus 1A through driving the top cover 2f rotate, and the inside maintenance and the expendable article (printprocess cartridge 23 a) change of the image forming mechanism section 20becomes possible.

In the present embodiment, because the rotation fulcrum axis 71 of thescanner section 3 is furnished on the left side of the image formingmechanism section 20 and the scanner section 3 can rotate to a positionthat becomes vertical (perpendicular) with respect to the printersection 2, the scanner section 3 does not disturb an open operation ofthe top cover 2 f. Further, because the automatic manuscript conveyingapparatus 53 is furnished on the side of the rotation fulcrum axis 71,the position of the center of gravity of the scanner section 3 becomesnear the rotation fulcrum axis 71. For this reason, the load momentsurrounding the rotation fulcrum axis 71 of the scanner section 3becomes small, and the operation function is improved.

Further, in the present embodiment, because the rotation fulcrum axis 71is furnished on the left side of the compound apparatus 1A, inconditions of opening the scanner section 3, a wide space appears on theright hand side of a user, and it becomes easy to perform the operationsof the inside maintenance and the expendable article change. Further, inthe compound apparatus 1A of the present embodiment, even in conditionsof opening the scanner section 3, the operation panel 3 a faces the userside; therefore, it is possible to operate the operation panel 3 a.

Second Embodiment

Continuously, it is to explain about a compound apparatus in the secondembodiment of the present invention that regards a different point withthe compound apparatus 1A in the first embodiment as a center byreferring to FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, 10A, 10B, 11A, and 11B. FIGS. 9A-9C showa compound apparatus in the second embodiment of the present invention;FIG. 9A is a front diagram; FIG. 9B and FIG. 9C are part enlargementsectional diagrams of FIG. 9A; FIGS. 10A and 10B explain an operationexample of a compound apparatus in the second embodiment of the presentinvention; FIG. 10A is a front diagram showing conditions of opening adocument cover unit; FIG. 10B is a part enlargement sectional diagram ofFIG. 10A; FIGS. 11A and 11B explain an operation example of a compoundapparatus in the second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 11A isa front diagram showing conditions of opening a scanner section; andFIG. 11B is a part enlargement sectional diagram of FIG. 11A.

<Rotation Operation of the Document Cover Unit 50>

Firstly, it is to explain about an operation that drives the documentcover unit 50 rotate with respect to the flat bed unit 40 by referringto FIG. 9 and FIG. 10. Here, FIG. 9A is a front diagram showingconditions of closing a document cover unit; FIG. 9B is a partenlargement sectional diagram of FIG. 9A; FIG. 10A is a front diagramshowing conditions of opening a document cover unit; and FIG. 10B is apart enlargement sectional diagram of FIG. 10A.

In a compound apparatus 1B of the second embodiment, as shown by FIG. 9Aand FIG. 9B, the document cover unit 50 is axially supported capable ofrotating with respect to the right end side of the flat bed unit 40through a rotation fulcrum axis 81 that extends to the front and backdirections by replacing the rotation fulcrum axis 61 of the firstembodiment. In the present embodiment, the rotation fulcrum axis 81 isfixed with respect to the document cover unit 50, and is supportedcapable of rotating by being inserted into a rotation fulcrum axis useditch 84 furnished in the flat bed unit 40. Then, as shown by FIGS. 9Aand 9B, in conditions of closing the document cover unit 50, thecompound apparatus 1B can read a manuscript through conveying themanuscript to the manuscript loading surface 41 by using the automaticmanuscript conveying apparatus 53.

Then, in conditions of opening the document cover unit 50 as shown byFIG. 10A, a stopper wall 82 furnished in the document cover unit 50 anda stopper wall 83 furnished in the flat bed unit 40 are contacted asshown by FIG. 10B, consequently the rotation region of the documentcover unit 50 is regulated within 90 degrees (from parallel toverticality with respect to the flat bed unit 40). Like this, inconditions of opening the document cover unit 50, it becomes possible toload a manuscript on the manuscript loading surface 41 in the compoundapparatus 1B.

<Rotation Operation of the Scanner Section 3>

Continuously, it is to explain about an operation that drives thescanner section 3 rotate with respect to the printer section 2 byreferring to FIGS. 9A, 9B, 10A &10B. Here, FIG. 9A is a front diagramshowing conditions of closing a scanner section; FIG. 9C is a partenlargement sectional diagram of FIG. 9A; FIG. 11A is a front diagramshowing conditions of opening a scanner section; and FIG. 11B is a partenlargement sectional diagram of FIG. 11A.

In the compound apparatus 1B of the second embodiment, as shown by FIG.9A and FIG. 9B, the scanner section 3 is axially supported capable ofrotating with respect to the left end part of the printer section 2(stay 2 g) through the rotation fulcrum axis 71 that extends to thefront and back directions.

Then, in conditions of opening the scanner section 3 as shown by FIG.11A, the stopper wall 72 furnished in the flat bed unit 40 and thestopper wall 73 furnished in the stay 2 g are contacted as shown by FIG.11B, the rotation region of the scanner section 3 is regulated within 90degrees (from parallel to verticality with respect to the printersection 2).

In the compound apparatus 1B of the present embodiment, because therotation fulcrum axis 71 of the scanner section 3 and the rotationfulcrum axis 81 of the document cover unit 50 are respectively furnishedopposite to the left and right sides, it becomes possible to open thescanner section with preventing that the document cover unit 50 isunnecessarily opened. Therefore, it is possible to abolish any rotationregulation member for regulating unnecessary rotations of the documentcover unit 50.

The above is to explain about the embodiment of the present invention,but the present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodimentsbut many modifications and variations are possible within the spirit andscope of the appended claims of the invention. For example, in the caseto apply the present invention to a monochrome copy machine, it ispossible to serve the print process cartridge 23 a and the transferroller 23 c as one. Further, it is also possible to change the shape ofthe top cover 2 f and the shape of the rotation fulcrum axes 61, 71 and81 suitably. Furthermore, the compound apparatus of the presentinvention is not limited to the copy machine, but it is also possible toapply to a facsimile, an office use compound machine (MFP: MultiFunction Products) and the like.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could bemade to the embodiments described above without departing from the broadinventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that thisinvention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but itis intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A compound apparatus comprising: an image formingapparatus forming an image on a record medium; an operation panel; and aunit provided above the image forming apparatus, the image formingapparatus comprising: a casing section; an image forming mechanismsection provided in the casing section; and a discharging mechanismsection discharging the record medium having an image formed thereon ina front and rear direction of the image forming apparatus as viewed froma user facing the operation panel; wherein the unit is supported in amanner pivotally movable through a rotation fulcrum axis extending inthe front and rear direction of the image forming apparatus as viewedfrom the user facing the operation panel.
 2. The compound apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the unit is a manuscript readingapparatus.
 3. The compound apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theunit includes a cover unit supported in a manner pivotally movablethrough a cover unit rotation fulcrum axis extending in the front andrear direction of the image forming apparatus as viewed from the userfacing the operation panel.
 4. The compound apparatus according to claim3, wherein the unit includes an automatic manuscript reading apparatus.5. The compound apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the automaticmanuscript reading apparatus and the cover unit rotation fulcrum axisare provided on different sides of the compound apparatus as viewed fromthe user facing the operation panel.
 6. The compound apparatus accordingto claim 5, wherein the rotation fulcrum axis and the cover unitrotation fulcrum axis are provided on different sides of the compoundapparatus as viewed from the user facing the operation panel.
 7. Thecompound apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the dischargingmechanism section discharges the record medium onto the upper part ofthe casing section.
 8. A compound apparatus comprising: an image formingapparatus forming an image onto a record medium; an operation panel; anda unit provided above the image forming apparatus, the image formingapparatus comprising: a casing section; an image forming mechanismsection provided in the casing section; and a discharging mechanismsection discharging the record medium having an image formed thereon;wherein the unit is supported in a manner pivotally movable through arotation fulcrum axis extending in a same direction as a dischargingdirection of the record medium through the discharging mechanism sectionas viewed from above, the compound apparatus further comprising a stayprovided on an upper part of the casing section, the stay has aleft-right asymmetric shape as viewed from a user facing the operationpanel.
 9. The compound apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a leftside and a right side stays are different from each other in widththereof as viewed from the user facing the operation panel.
 10. Thecompound apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the image formingapparatus includes: an opening for attaching and detaching the imageforming mechanism section; and an opening cover provided with the casingsection, the opening cover pivotally movable between a position blockingthe opening of the casing section and a position opening the opening ofthe casing section through an opening cover rotation fulcrum axisextending in a direction orthogonal to the discharging direction of therecord medium through the discharging mechanism section.
 11. Thecompound apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the unit has aprotruding part, and the protruding part supports the rotation fulcrumaxis.
 12. The compound apparatus according to claim 11, wherein apivotally movable angle of the unit is practically restricted within 90degrees.
 13. The compound apparatus according to claim 12, wherein thestay supports the rotation fulcrum axis.
 14. The compound apparatusaccording to claim 13, wherein the unit includes an automatic manuscriptreading apparatus.
 15. The compound apparatus according to claim 12,wherein the unit is a manuscript reading apparatus.
 16. The compoundapparatus according to claim 15, wherein the automatic manuscriptreading apparatus and the rotation fulcrum axis are provided ondifferent sides of the compound apparatus as viewed from the user facingthe operation panel.
 17. The compound apparatus according to claim 16,wherein the discharging mechanism section discharges the record mediumonto the upper part of the casing section.
 18. A compound apparatuscomprising: an image forming apparatus forming an image on a recordmedium; and a manuscript reading section provided above the imageforming apparatus, the image forming apparatus comprising: a casingsection; an image forming mechanism section provided in the casingsection; and a discharging mechanism section discharging the recordmedium having an image formed thereon; the manuscript reading sectionincluding a manuscript reading cover supported in a manner pivotallymovable through a rotation fulcrum axis extending in a same direction asa discharging direction of the record medium through the dischargingmechanism section.
 19. The compound apparatus according to claim 18,further comprising: an operation panel; and a stay provided on an upperpart of the casing section, the stay has a left-right asymmetric shapeas viewed from a user facing the operation panel.
 20. The compoundapparatus according to claim 19, wherein a left side and a right sidestays are different from each other in width thereof as viewed from theuser facing the operation panel.
 21. The compound apparatus according toclaim 20, wherein the image forming apparatus comprising: an opening forattaching and detaching the image forming mechanism section; and anopening cover provided with the casing section, the opening coverpivotally movable between a position blocking the opening of the casingsection and a position opening the opening of the casing section throughan opening cover rotation fulcrum axis extending in a directionorthogonal to the discharging direction of the record medium through thedischarging mechanism section.
 22. The compound apparatus according toclaim 21, wherein a pivotally movable angle of the manuscript readingcover is practically restricted within 90 degrees.
 23. The compoundapparatus according to claim 22, wherein the manuscript reading sectionincludes an automatic manuscript reading apparatus.
 24. The compoundapparatus according to claim 23, wherein the automatic manuscriptreading apparatus and the rotation fulcrum axis are provided ondifferent sides of the compound apparatus as viewed from the user facingthe operation panel.
 25. The compound apparatus according to claim 24,wherein the discharging mechanism section discharges the record mediumonto an upper part of the casing section.
 26. A compound apparatuscomprising: an image forming apparatus forming an image on a recordmedium; an operation panel; and a manuscript reading section providedabove the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatuscomprising: a casing section; an image forming mechanism sectionprovided in the casing section; and a discharging mechanism sectiondischarging the record medium having an image formed thereon in a frontand rear direction of the image forming apparatus as viewed from a userfacing the operation panel; the manuscript reading section comprising: amanuscript reading cover supported in a manner pivotally movable througha rotation fulcrum axis extending in the front and rear direction of theimage forming apparatus as viewed from the user facing the operationpanel.
 27. The compound apparatus according to claim 26, furthercomprising a stay provided on an upper part of the casing section, thestay has a left-right asymmetric shape as viewed from a user facing theoperation panel.
 28. The compound apparatus according to claim 27,wherein a left side and a right side stays are different from each otherin width thereof as viewed from the user facing the operation panel. 29.The compound apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the image formingapparatus comprising: an opening for attaching and detaching the imageforming mechanism section; and an opening cover provided with the casingsection, the opening cover pivotally movable between a position blockingthe opening of the casing section and a position opening the opening ofthe casing section through an opening cover rotation fulcrum axisextending in a direction orthogonal to a discharging direction of therecord medium through the discharging mechanism section.
 30. Thecompound apparatus according to claim 29, wherein a pivotally movableangle of the manuscript reading cover is practically restricted within90 degrees.
 31. The compound apparatus according to claim 30, whereinthe manuscript reading section includes an automatic manuscript readingapparatus.
 32. The compound apparatus according to claim 31, wherein theautomatic manuscript reading apparatus and the rotation fulcrum axis areprovided on different sides of the compound apparatus as viewed from theuser facing the operation panel.
 33. The compound apparatus according toclaim 32, wherein the discharging mechanism section discharges therecord medium onto an upper part of the casing section.